For those who might be interested, I can offer personal consulting for application essays.

As a published author and former high school English teacher, I have a trained eye for correct grammatical structure. Having been a writing consultant for graduate school essays for almost a decade, I understand some of the primary pitfalls and potential solutions. In addition, my own graduate school essay was included in Mark Stewart's book, Perfect Personal Statements: Successful Application Essays from Students at America's Top Graduate and Professional Schools (Arco Press, 1996).

THE PROCESS

My services are geared toward helping people revise their essays. Since most schools have one major question in common, I help to revise your "core" essay by critiquing a completed draft from the perspective of an informed, interested reader. I critique both grammatical and logical inconsistencies with a focus on the latter and an ear for the types of concerns committees are likely to have of your abilities & interests.

Within 10 days of receipt of your essay, I provide a full written response. You rewrite the essay and resubmit it to me via email for a final review, to which I will then respond no later than 7 days after receipt. Whereas the first review is normally focused on global issues of content and design, the second review tends to get into specifics of language and pace.

It is important also that you remain fully the author of this essay. I will never write your words; I will only make suggestions on how you might do so. My goal is to help your words become illuminated, not to compose an answer to fit for your application needs.

Whatever you should decide, I hope that I can help. I know it's a big deal, and sincerely anticipate that your experience will be a positive one.

GETTING STARTED

If you are interested in getting started, please contact me to talk about your situation. Let me know where you're applying, when your essays need to be completed, and what your biggest concerns might be.

The total fee for this process is a flat $150. You may elect to send a personal check through the mail or pay with a credit card via PayPal. I will send further details about making payments upon hearing of your interest. And of course, payment needs to be completed before the essay review can begin in earnest.